For the last 19 years, I have cheered my Dad on as he raised thousands of dollars for cancer research by riding in the annual Pan-Mass Challenge. The Pan-Mass Challenge  is  a bike-a-thon that raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country - to bring us Closer by the Mile to a cure for cancer.Since its founding in 1980, PMC riders like me have raised more than $1 billion for lifesaving cancer research, treatment and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, one of the country's top cancer care hospitals. Throughout my teenage years/early adulthood, my Dad trained and tirelessly pursued his goal to help put an end to cancer. This became an even more cherished tradition when in 2023, he started a new tradition– riding for my Mom.

My Mom, Wendy, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Appendix cancer in Winter of 2022. It turns out, cancer of the appendix is incredibly rare – akin to winning a one in a million jackpot that no one wants. Doctors advised that it was likely silently growing for at least 10 years, with no symptoms until it spread to many of her organs. There was no way to remove the cancer that had spread so much. We were devastated – learning that we were counting our remaining time in months, not years.

My Mom was a warrior. Since her diagnosis, she fought each day to live and for two years, she succeeded. She believed that “Life is to be lived and enjoyed.”  During those years, we enjoyed walking through quiet woods, jumping into icy cold oceans, and celebrations of birthdays, weddings and holidays together. My family made every day count.On the morning of Sunday, February 23, 2025, my Mom died peacefully with my Dad, my sisters, and me by her side. She will forever be my inspiration, my guiding star, and my anchor. We will continue to celebrate her life and warrior spirit.

This year I will embark on my inaugural PMC ride. This year is very special: it will be my Dad’s 20th ride, my sister, Rhyan's,  second PMC, and we will be honoring my Mom, who we miss so very much. We have named our team, Wendy’s Warriors for Mom, the true fighter.

With all your support, good wishes, kindness, and caring, I am hoping to reach the PMC minimum donations level for a rider. All of the monies raised will go directly to the research of my Mom’s cancer doctor, Dr. Ben Schleter, at Dana Farber. Since her cancer is so rare, there is no real treatment for appendix cancer and Doctor’s treat her with a general GI cancer protocol. One day, with your help, I hope that there is enough knowledge to catch and treat this type of cancer before its too late.

My PMC is making a difference in the lives of patients at Dana-Farber and around the world. The funds I raise support the innovative work of doctors, nurses, and scientists in their search for cures for cancers and related diseases.

100 percent of every dollar I raise goes directly to Dana-Farber, meaning that your donation has a real impact! Please donate to my PMC fundraising and help me reach my fundraising goal.